Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu Rallies Stakeholders to Restore Discipline in Senior High Schools‎

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Published: July 29, 2026

Published at: 5: 28PM

By Saibu Terry

‎ The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has called for urgent and collective action to address the growing challenge of indiscipline in Senior High Schools (SHSs), stressing that discipline remains the bedrock of quality education and national development

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‎Speaking at the opening of the National Conference on Stemming Indiscipline in Senior High Schools in Sunyani, the Minister challenged stakeholders with a thought-provoking question:
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‎”If our schools cannot produce disciplined citizens, what kind of nation are we preparing for tomorrow?”

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‎According to the Minister, the true purpose of education extends beyond academic achievement. He noted that while certificates are important, schools must also nurture integrity, responsibility, respect, and good character among students.
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‎”Discipline is the foundation of quality education. A system that awards certificates without shaping character has only accomplished half its mission,” he stated.

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‎Hon. Iddrisu expressed concern over the increasing incidents of indiscipline in schools, citing reports of students carrying firearms and narcotic substances onto school campuses, as well as recent assaults on teachers during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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‎He described these incidents as unacceptable and warned that such acts must not become the defining feature of Ghana’s education system.
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‎The Minister recalled raising these concerns on the floor of Parliament, emphasizing the need for decisive interventions to safeguard the integrity of the country’s educational institutions and ensure a safe learning environment for both students and teachers.

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‎He said the National Conference serves as a platform to bring together policymakers, education authorities, school heads, teachers, parents, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and other key stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable strategies to restore discipline in schools.

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‎Hon. Iddrisu stressed that rebuilding discipline requires a shared commitment from families, communities, schools, and government, adding that value-based education must be central to shaping the next generation of responsible citizens.

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‎He expressed confidence that the outcomes of the conference would contribute significantly to strengthening discipline across Ghana’s secondary schools and reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to policies that promote academic excellence alongside moral and civic responsibility.
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‎”This conference is a national call to action to restore discipline, strengthen our values, and ensure our schools produce not only academically excellent students but also responsible citizens for national development,” the Minister said.
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‎The conference is expected to generate recommendations that will guide efforts to promote positive student behaviour, strengthen school governance, protect teachers, and reinforce character formation as an essential pillar of Ghana’s education system.